A Guide to Optimal Health in Aged Care

Good read

Very good read

Invaluable

Was a good skim of information.

Good topic

Simple for care staff

Restrictive diets often result in limited food choices leading to reduced quality of life, possible undernutrition and dehydration. Anecdotally, mealtimes can be the most important part of the day and are often a source of joy for RAC residents. Therefore, dietary restriction should be avoided where possible. “Diabetic diets” or restrictive diets for the management of diabetes should generally be avoided in RAC due to the higher risk of malnutrition.(1-5). Older people with diabetes should receive the same meals, desserts and snacks as other residents.(1) Residents with diabetes need to be offered the three main meals and three mid-meals daily, and should receive carbohydrates at every eating event.(1,3,4) Sugar can be included as part of their diet, and diabetic food or drinks offer no benefit to older people with diabetes.(1,4) If a resident requires or requests a restrictive diabetic diet, then the Dietitian should be involved to ensure that meals are nutritionally adequate and that the resident and/or relatives are educated on the best evidence for diabetes management in RAC. References: 1. National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS). Diabetes management in aged care: A practical handbook. Version 3 July 2020. Available from: www.ndss.com.au/wp-content/uploads/resources/aged-care-diabetes-management-practical-handbook.pdf 2. The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). Chapter 19: Management of type 2 diabetes in older people and residential aged care facilities. East Melbourne, Vic: RACGP, 2020. Available from: www.racgp.org.au/getattachment/ae9bdf51-7a91-4196-ac81-92980527ab65/Management-of-type-2-diabetes-in-the-elderly-and-r.aspx 3. Volkert D, et al. ESPEN guideline on clinical nutrition and hydration in geriatrics. Clin Nutr. 2019;38(1):10-47. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2018.05.024 4. Diabetes UK (2010) Good clinical practice guidelines for care home residents with diabetes. Available from: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/resources-s3/2017-09/Care-homes-0110_0.pdf 5. Diabetes Canada Clinical Practice Guidelines Expert Committee (2018) Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Diabetes in Canada. Can J Diabetes. 2018;42(Suppl 1):S1-S325.

very interesting

Very informative article.

Very informative!